Best College Basketball Betting Sites – December 2024

If you’re already interested in sports betting or daily fantasy sports, you’ve probably heard of DraftKings Sportsbook. It’s widely available, has a massive marketing campaign and is one of the two largest sportsbooks in the country in terms of market share.

With daily odds boosts, a strong rewards program, a Parlay Builder tool and a user-friendly app, DraftKings has a lot of perks for college basketball bettors.

It also has a special welcome offer for new customers. If you win your first $5+ bet after signing up, you’ll receive $150 in bonus bets. No promo code is required.

The bonus bets are valid for seven days and can be used on anything you want, including NCAA basketball.

Category	Description
Offer	Bet $5+, get $150 in bonus bets if first bet wins
Promo Code	N/A
Requirements	New users only, 21+ and in eligible state
Eligible Bet Types	All bet types
Availability	AZ, CO, CT, DC, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, NC, NJ, NY, NH, OH, OR, PA, TN, VA, VT, WY, WV
Offer Expires	Jan. 5, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. ET
Apple Store Score	4.8/5
Google Play Store Score	4.5/5
Date Verified	Dec. 4, 2024
Claim Bonus

FanDuel Sportsbook rivals DraftKings as one of the biggest and most popular sportsbooks in the country.

While the two apps have many similarities, FanDuel stands out with its sleek, modern app that’s considered one of the best in the industry.

In addition to daily odds and parlay boosts, FanDuel has a special promotion for new customers. If you win your first $5+ wager after signing up, you’ll receive $150 in bonus bets.

Bonus bets can be used on anything at FanDuel Sportsbook and are valid for seven days, so you can use them on multiple CBB games if you want. No promo code is required.

New customers will also get three free months of NBA League Pass to enjoy.

Category	Description
Offer	Bet $5+, get $150 in Bonus Bets + 3 Free Months of NBA League Pass
Promo Code	N/A
Requirements	New users only, 21+ and in eligible state
Eligible Bet Types	All bet types
Availability	AZ, CO, CT, DC, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, MD, MI, MA, NJ, NY, NC, OH, PA, TN, VA, VT, WV, WY
Offer Expires	Dec. 17 at 11:59 p.m. ET
Apple Store Score	4.9/5
Google Play Store Score	4.7/5
Date Verified	Dec. 4, 2024
Claim Bonus

Like odds boosts? Caesars Sportsbook has you covered.

Caesars has a top-tier betting platform with a robust rewards program and the most odds boosts in the industry, offering dozens of daily boosts on various sports, including college basketball.

New customers at Caesars will also get 10 100% profit boosts for betting $1+ after signing up.

To claim the promotion, register for Caesars using the code FORBES1000 and bet $1+ on anything you want. Win or lose, you’ll get 10 100% profit boosts to use over the next 14 days on any sport.

Profit boosts are valid for 14 days. Max. $25 bet and $2,500 winnings per profit boost.

Category	Description
Offer	Bet $1, get 10 $100% profit boosts
Promo Code	FORBES1000
Requirements	New users only, 21+ and in eligible state
Eligible Bet Types	All bet types
Availability	AZ, CO, DC, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MS, NV, NJ, NY, NC, OH, PA, PR, TN, VA, WV, WY
Offer Expires	11:59 a.m. local time on Jan. 27, 2025
Apple Store Score	4.7/5
Google Play Store Score	4.3/5
Date Verified	Dec. 4, 2024
Claim Bonus

BetMGM Sportsbook has everything sports bettors are looking for, including daily odds boosts, a user-friendly app and a strong loyalty program through MGM Rewards.

BetMGM has a large welcome offer as well, giving new users up to $1,500 in bonus bets if their first wager loses. This lets you take a big swing with your first bet when you sign up using the promo code FORBES.

It’s like getting a rebound. If your shot misses, you still get a chance to make another one.

Category	Description
Offer	Get up to $1,500 in bonus bets if your first wager loses
Promo Code	FORBES
Requirements	New users only, 21+ and in eligible state
Eligible Bet Types	All bet types
Availability	AZ, CO, DC, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MD, MA, MI, MS, NV, NJ, NY, NC, OH, PA, PR, TN, VA, WV, WY
Offer Expires	Feb. 10, 2025
Apple Store Score	4.8/5
Google Play Store Score	4.3/5
Date Verified	Dec. 4, 2024
Claim Bonus

One of the newest sportsbooks on the market, Fanatics Sportsbook has quickly expanded since debuting in 2023 and merging with PointsBet.

Its unique welcome offer gives new customers 10 no-sweat bets up to $100 each ($1,000 total) depending on how much they wager.

For the first 10 days after you create your account, you’ll get a no-sweat bet up to $100 each day. No promo code is required – just opt in and wager each day to receive your no-sweat bet.

If your bet wins, you’ll receive your winnings in cash. If it loses, you’ll get a bonus bet back for the same amount.

Fanatics also has daily odds boosts and arguably the best rewards program around. Bettors earn FanCash with every wager, which can be converted into bonus bets at the sportsbook and used on college basketball games. It can also be used as site credit at Fanatics’ retail website, where you can buy merchandise of your favorite teams and players.

Category	Description
Offer	Get daily $100 no-sweat bet for 10 straight days
Promo Code	N/A
Requirements	New users only, 21+ and in eligible state
Eligible Bet Types	$1+, min. -500 odds
Availability	AZ, CO, CT, DC, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, MD, MA, MI, NY, NJ, NC, OH, PA, TN, VA, VT, WV, WY
Offer Expires	Dec. 31, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. ET
Apple Store Score	4.8/5
Google Play Store Score	4.4/5
Date Verified	Dec. 4, 2024
Claim Bonus

Bet365 is one of the best sportsbooks in the world, boasting over 100 million customers worldwide.

It also has one of the best welcome promos in the industry.

New users in the U.S. who register for Bet365, deposit $10+ and use the promo code FORBES can choose between two different welcome offers. If you’re in Canada, use the promo code FORBESCAN.

One option provides $150 in bonus bets after wagering $5 (min. -500 odds). You do not need to win your bet to receive the bonus.

With the second option, you’ll get a bonus bet back up to $1,000 if your first wager loses.

Whichever option you choose, you can use it to bet on college basketball. Bet365 also has frequent odds boosts and a deep selection of betting markets on other sports, especially international markets.

Category	Description
Offer	Bet $5, get $150 in bonus bets OR get up to $1,000 in bonus bets if your first bet loses
Promo Code	FORBES (U.S.), FORBESCAN (Canada ex. Ontario)
Requirements	New users only, 21+ and in eligible state
Eligible Bet Types	Min. -500 odds
Availability	AZ, CO, IA, IN, KY, LA, NJ, NC, OH, PA, VA
Offer Expires	TBD
Apple Store Score	4.8/5
Google Play Store Score	4.6/5
Date Verified	Dec. 4, 2024
Claim Bonus

For bettors who prefer a smaller-scale sportsbook without too many bells and whistles, BetRivers is a solid option.

New users who sign up for BetRivers using the promo code SPORTS and deposit at least $10 will receive a bonus bet if their first wager loses. The offer varies by state but ranges between $100 and $500.

You can wager on any sporting event to receive the bonus bet, including NCAA basketball. The bonus is valid for 30 days if your first bet doesn’t hit.

Category	Description
Offer	Get $100-$500 in bonus bets if your first wager loses (depending on state)
Promo Code	SPORTS
Requirements	New users only, 21+ and in eligible state
Eligible Bet Types	Min. -200 odds
Availability	AZ, CO, DE, IA, IL, IN, LA, MD, MI, NJ, NY, OH, PA, VA, WV
Offer Expires	TBD
Apple Store Score	4.8/5
Google Play Store Score	4.7/5
Date Verified	Dec. 4, 2024
Claim Bonus

One of the newer sportsbooks on the scene, ESPN BET arrived in November 2023 after rebranding from Barstool Sportsbook. It’s made a mark with its modern app, which is easy to use and features exclusive odds boosts.

ESPN BET also has good betting promos, including a welcome offer that gives new users up to $1,500 back if their first wager loses. No promo code is required.

If you haven’t signed up for ESPN BET yet, it’s worth checking out.

If you’re familiar with Hard Rock Casino, you might know its sportsbook affiliate as well.

Hard Rock Bet debuted in January 2019 and has expanded to eight states. It has a clean, modern app that’s easy to use along with exclusive daily odds boosts and solid promotions.

If you lose your first $10+ wager after signing up, you’ll get a bonus bet for the same amount up to $100. That applies to any sport, including CBB.
No promo code is required.

If you’re a first-time sports bettor or looking to join a new sportsbook, one of the first things you should consider is the welcome offer.

There are two main types of betting promotions for new users. One is a “first-bet” offer, also known as a “no-sweat bet,” “second-chance bet” or “safety-net bet.” Regardless of the name, it involves getting your first bet back in site credit (up to a certain amount) if your first wager loses.

Other books will essentially give you money for signing up. This is usually in the form of a “bet-and-get” promo, where you receive bonus bets or site credit just for making a small wager after registering. This gives you money to play with to see if you like the sportsbook.

The second option is often preferable, but it depends. A first bet offer is good for a casual bettor who wants to quickly check out a sportsbook or has a specific bet in mind.

The “bet-and-get” offer is preferable for someone who wants to wager on multiple games or markets.

Terms and conditions vary based on sportsbook.

Once you’ve registered for a sportsbook and played through your welcome bonus, it’s also important to assess the promotions for existing users. Some sportsbooks offer daily odds boosts or rewards programs to keep customers returning.

If you wager frequently, you’ll want a sportsbook with frequent boosts and a robust rewards program like Caesars or Fanatics. If you’re a more casual bettor, those won’t be as important.

With so many CBB betting markets every day, no one sportsbook will have the best lines for all of them.

Odds are usually comparable across sports betting sites, so major differences are rare. You may see Kansas as a -250 moneyline favorite at one site and a -240 moneyline favorite at another, but no sportsbook is going to have them as a large underdog.

DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Bet365, Fanatics, ESPN BET, BetRivers, Hard Rock Bet Caesars all have similar odds for basketball bets. Still, it doesn’t hurt to sign up for multiple sportsbooks so that you can easily compare odds.

Small differences add up over the course of the season, especially if you’re betting on hundreds or thousands of games.

The Over/Under may differ by half a run or certain props may have slightly different odds, so taking time to research odds differences can help maximize your profits.

Bettors looking to wager on college hoops have a wide array of wagers to choose from.

All of the sportsbooks listed above offer standard bets like moneylines, spreads and totals. They’ll also have more complex markets such as parlays, same-game parlays, CBB futures and prop bets.

However, some CBB props may not be available in certain states due to rules around college basketball props, especially player props.

For new bettors, we recommend starting out with simple straight bets like moneylines and Over/Unders. Once you get comfortable with those, you can start adding more complicated wagers like parlays and prop bets to your arsenal.

All of the NCAA betting options can feel overwhelming, so keep it simple and stick to what you know.

Before placing NCAAB wagers at these CBB betting sites, here are a few key betting tips to keep in mind.

• Do your research: Don’t just bet blindly on your favorite team or player. Consider recent performance trends, the matchup, injuries, location of the game, weather and more. There are lots of factors to consider before placing your bet, so make sure you do your homework.
• Price shop: Odds vary by sportsbook, which affects your potential payout. If you have access to multiple sportsbooks in your state, shop around to get the best odds on your bet to maximize your profits.
• Stay up to date: Pay attention to injuries, benchings and other news that could impact the outcome of a game.

All of the aforementioned sportsbooks are great for college basketball bettors. They are reputable and secure and have welcome offers for new users. They also have odds boosts, customer service, competitive odds and various betting markets, providing good betting experiences for their customers.

The availability of these sportsbooks varies by state, however. Even if you live in a state with legal sports betting, some of these sportsbooks may not operate in your state.

When looking for a good college basketball betting site, consider the following:

• Betting Markets: The best CBB sportsbooks offer a wide range of markets for each game beyond the standard markets. There should be plenty of prop bets to choose from (if they’re allowed in your state), and building parlays should be easy.
• Competitive Odds: The best NCAAB sportsbooks have competitive odds. You’ll see similar prices across platforms, but sometimes you may see significantly different odds or lines for a specific game or market. Shop around to get the best prices for your bets.
• Customer Support: Reliable customer support is important for any issues or questions. There should be multiple ways to contact them (i.e., live chat, email and phone support) with quick response times. All the sportsbooks we recommend have dependable customer support, but some platforms are better than others.
• Payment Methods: You’ll want a site with a variety of secure and convenient deposit and withdrawal methods, including e-wallets, credit/debit cards and bank transfers. Note the processing times and any related fees.
• Promotions: Most sportsbooks have welcome offers for customers. See what other promotions they offer beyond that, including odds boosts and referral bonuses.
• Rewards Program: Some sportsbooks reward you for every bet, while others have no loyalty program. Look for books that give you something in return for betting.
• Reputation and Regulation: Pick a betting site that is licensed and regulated in the sports betting state you’re in. These sites pay you out quickly if you win, keep your personal information safe and have customer service to address any issues.
• User Experience: Prioritize user-friendly sites that are easy to navigate, place bets and manage your account. A high-quality mobile app is important for betting on the go.

We’ve taken the time to sample and research numerous sportsbooks, narrowing down a list of the best in the industry. These rankings can help you decide which ones to try first.

Our rankings are based on scores in the following categories:

• App reviews
• Availability across states
• Size of welcome offer
• Ease of claiming welcome offer
• Rewards program
• In-app streaming capabilities
• Existing user promos
• Customer service options

Below, we’ll break down each category and why it’s important to your sports betting experience.

App Reviews

A quick and easy way to get a sense of a sportsbook’s quality is by comparing user reviews on the App Store (iOS) and Google Play Store (Android). Since ratings are out of five stars, you’ll generally want a sportsbook that’s well-regarded with an average score of at least four stars.

You can also dive into specific user comments to get a sense of what people are saying about the app and if there are any recurring complaints or issues. This can be helpful for features that are hard to gauge until you actually use the app, like lagginess or customer service.

Many commenters are there to complain, so don’t put too much stock in specific reviews.

That said, if you notice common themes throughout the comments, consider it a warning for issues you may encounter with the app.

State Availability

Each state handles sports betting differently. Some states allow both in-person and mobile sports betting, while others might only allow in-person sports betting or have a hard cap on the number of mobile sportsbooks permitted.

Accordingly, sportsbooks vary by state, as each state has to approve a sportsbook before it can launch there. No sportsbook is available in every state with legal online sports betting, but a few have launched in the majority of them.

Generally speaking, the more states a sportsbook is available in, the better. That means it’s more likely to be available in your state, a bordering state or a state you’re likely to travel to, making it easier and more convenient to use. That way, you’ll be able to take your sportsbook with you rather than needing to sign up for a new one every time you leave your state.

While smaller “local” sportsbooks usually offer profit boosts and other bonuses based on hometown teams, they’re usually only available in a handful of states at most, offering limited availability.

Size of Welcome Offer

This is an important one. How much free money will a sportsbook give you for signing up?

Most sportsbooks have welcome offers to entice new customers, but it’s important to know how these offers work. Just because an offer has a higher dollar amount attached to it doesn’t necessarily make it better.

Some sportsbooks have “bet and get” promotions where you receive bonus bets (site credit) just for wagering a small amount of money. For example, you might get $200 in bonus bets just for placing a $5 wager. You’re essentially getting free money to bet with.

Other sportsbooks have “no-sweat” offers that give a bonus bet only if your first bet loses.

For example, if you place a $20 bet after signing up and it loses, you’ll receive a $20 bonus bet, similar to a refund.

These offers tend to wow bettors with larger amounts than “bet and get” promos, often going up to $1,000 or $1,500. However, you’ll only receive a bonus bet if your first wager loses, in which case you’ll need to use the bonus bet to try to win your money back. If your wager wins, you’ll receive your cash winnings like a normal wager but won’t receive any bonus.

Accordingly, “no sweat” offers generally aren’t as good as “bet and get” promos.

When comparing sportsbooks, it’s better to focus on welcome offers with guaranteed bonuses that give you site credit no matter what.

Ease of Claiming Welcome Offer

The size of the bonus offer won’t matter if it’s difficult to claim.

The best sportsbook bonus offers are as easy to claim as they are generous, being simple and straightforward without requiring you to jump through hoops.
The best bonuses are guaranteed and hit your account instantly as soon as you place your first bet. They’ll also be easy to follow and won’t require you to check a bunch of boxes to get your bonus.

Some sportsbook bonus offers require you to make multiple wagers or wait days or weeks to unlock your full bonus. This can be inconvenient, especially if you’re trying to get your full bonus ahead of a major sporting event like the Super Bowl or March Madness.

More complex offers can be a pain, so we prefer simplified offers with fewer requirements.

Rewards Program

If you bet often and are planning to use a sportsbook frequently, a strong rewards program is essential.

Loyalty programs differ by sportsbook. Some give you rewards points for each bet, which can then be converted into bonus bets or other rewards. Others offer big rewards like free trips, hotel stays, tickets to sporting events and more.

On the other hand, some sportsbooks don’t have any rewards. That might not be a big deal for casual bettors, but it can make a difference for frequent sports bettors.

It’s like paying for something with cash versus a credit card. If you place a bet at a site without a loyalty program, you’re missing out on points elsewhere.

In-App Streaming Capabilities

While bigger sports like football or basketball are usually only available to watch via traditional cable or streaming services, some sportsbooks offer the ability to stream smaller sports in the app, which is a benefit for bettors.

For example, FanDuel‘s app often streams tennis matches, which makes it easier to follow the action and place live wagers.

Beyond just offering live streaming, we also considered how laggy the stream was, how much battery it used and the amount of events available to stream in the app.

Existing User Promos

Most sportsbooks have some type of welcome offer to get new customers in the door, but where they really differ is with their promotions for existing customers.

Some sportsbooks offer a slew of daily promotions like odds boosts, no-sweat bets, bonus bets and more to keep customers coming back every day. Others only offer these sparingly, however, if at all.

One key existing user promo to consider is the referral bonus. Many sportsbooks have some type of referral bonus for getting someone else to sign up, but the amount can differ ($50 per person, $100, $200, etc.). If you’re planning to bet with friends or family, this can be a great way to score bonus bets for you and them.

Similar to a rewards program, you’ll want a sportsbook with frequent offers for existing customers if you plan to bet frequently.

Customer Service Options

Strong customer service options are a must for any sportsbook considering most disputes or calls involve someone’s money.

High marks were given to any sportsbook that offered 24/7 customer service (sporting events often end at night, after all), while points were deducted if a sportsbook relied on a FAQ page as a key part of its customer service profile. The more options for contacting customer service (email, chat, phone, etc.), the better.

Customer support is essential to guaranteeing a smooth sports betting experience. If a problem arises, it’s important to have it handled quickly and effectively.